Different Types of O Visas: Your Options | O1 Visa Lawyer

Different Types of O Visas

ovisa
  • Artist Visa
  • Agent Visa
  • O Visa
  • O1 Visa
  • O2 Visas
  • O3 Visa
  • O1B Visa
  • O1A Visa
  • O-1 Visa
  • O-2 Visa
  • O-3 Visa
  • O-1A Visa
  • O-1B Visa

The O1 Visa or O-1 Visa or "Regular" O Visa

FEATURES
  • You are working for an employer or an agent.
  • You are the main applicant.
  • Your resume is the basis for the visa.
  • Any support staff is under your management.

O1 VISA INFORMATION

The O-1 Visa is a Non-Immigrant Employment Based Visa to work in America. In order to qualify you must demonstrate you have a "extraordinary ability" in the field of Art, Athletics, Business, Education, or Science. Although it's called an "O-1 Visa", it is actually made up of two categories, "O-1A" and "O-1B". The benefits of the visa are the sane for both categories, but the criteria to qualify for them are different. O-1B Visas are for people that work in the Field of Art, and can sometimes use an Agent as a sponsor. O-1A Visas are for those that work in Athletics, Business, Education or Science. People in Athletics and Business can use an agent as well.

If you are granted an O-1 Visa you can bring support staff and your dependants with you. The O-1 Visa allows you to live and work in the US, so long as you work for your 'sponsor' or 'employer'. If your sponsor is an agent, you can freelance or work for multiple employers, but they must contract with you through your agent. Your job should have typical use of a "talent agent". In order to qualify for an O-1 Visa you need to show that you both have a job offer and that you have ahcievements in your field of work that demonstrate thay you have an "extraordinary ability." Although it is sometimes called the "artist visa", the O-1 Visa is used by many different processions. A few of the varied professions that use O-1 Visas are Doctors, Professors, Executives, Actors, and Baseball Players.

Read more about the O1 Visa

The O-2 or "Support Staff" O Visa

FEATURES
  • You are accompanying someone who has an O1 visa or is applying for one.
  • You have a supportive job role.
  • You have worked in your job field for some time.
  • You have worked with the O1 applicant or holder for some time.

O2 VISA INFORMATION

An O-2 Visa is a US work visa granted to the support staff of a O-1 Visa holder. The two applications must be linked, and applied for at the same time. An O-2 alien has all the benefits of an O-1 visa holder, in that they are able to work, live, and travel in the US. However, they are completely dependent on the O-1 Visa holder, and if the O-1 Visa they applied with becomes invalid, so does the dependent O-2 Visa. O-2’s are hard in that you have to apply to USCIS and prove talent and a history with the O-1 Visa holder. However, the level of talent required is lower than that of an O-1 Visa applicant. A good example of an O-2 Visa holder would be a makeup artist who was accompanying an Actor to a film shoot.

Read more about the O2 Visa

The O-3 or "Family Member" O Visa

FEATURES
  • Your parent or spouse are an O1 applicant or holder.
  • You are not planning to work in the US.
  • If the O1 holder is a parent you are under the age of 21.
  • You may go to school on this visa.

O3 VISA INFORMATION

An O-3 Visa is a US resident visa granted to the dependant family of a O-1 Visa holder. The O-3 isn't applied for through USCIS, it is applied for at the US Consulate after the O1 Visa is approved. It can be applied for simultaneously or a separate times. While you must be married to get an O3 Visa, you only need to be married as of the time you apply for the visa at a consulate, not with USCIS. An O-3 alien only has some of the benefits of an O-1 visa holder, in that they are able to work, live, and travel in the US. Their visa is completely dependent on the O-1 Visa holder, and if the O-1 Visa they applied with becomes invalid, so does the dependent O-3 Visa. Once a minor child turns 22 they age off of the visa and become without status unless they switch visas beforehand.

Read more about the O3 Visa


You've stayed on this page for 00:00

Request a Free Evaluation